La Sportiva Goes Big With Cushioned Akasha Mountain Running Shoe and Revamps Apparel Line for Spring 2016

July 27, 2015 (BOULDER, Colo.) — La Sportiva launches into Spring 2016 with new footwear across all of its product categories, accompanied by a diverse collection of new apparel. Headlining the season in the Mountain Running category is the new Akasha shoe, which dominates trails with ample cushion and a new TrailRocker ™sole system, all while maintaining the highest level of precision necessary to tackle tough, technical trails.

“Our Mountain Running lineup is stronger than ever and Spring 2016 should catapult us to a new level as a business,” says Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “As we continue to grow our product categories, we are always striving to improve successful products while maintaining their essence, and we think we have done just that with the Helios 2.0. Meanwhile, our brand new products, like the Akasha, continue to redefine the relationship between comfort and performance, pushing the boundaries of both simultaneously.”            

As La Sportiva’s most cushioned trail shoe to date, the Akasha features a decoupled heel to isolate the initial strike zone of the foot, and the STB Control construction made popular by the Bushido, which marries the upper to the midsole for a lighter shoe with a secure fit and greater stability. The Akasha (MSRP $140) also uses a welded upper to reduce seams and injection-molded reinforcements over the toe box that promote flex while adding protection, all of which combines for a more comfortable ride and an unbeatable fit.

The Helios 2.0 improves upon the popular Helios with a new one-pull lacing system and Hydrain mesh upper that offers maximum breathability. Lightweight and neutral, the Helios 2.0 ($125) is still packed with features, including a one-piece stretch tongue, robust toecap, Frixion rubber outsole, and redesigned heel cup for a buttery, soft feel.

La Sportiva has revamped its line of mountain running apparel for improved fit, sublimated graphics & a unique color story. All synthetic garments in the Spring 2016 line use anti-microbial, anti-bacterial Polygiene treatment to eliminate odor. The Apex and Summit shirts are optimized for the demanding runner, with mesh inserts for moisture management and reflective tape integrated into the bottom hem for nighttime visibility. Available for both men and women, the MSRP is $69 for the shirt and $49 for the tank top. The Aelous and Supernova Shorts (MSRP $69) feature a comfortable inner brief and reflective detail, making them great complements to the Apex and Summit tops.

The full line of Spring 2016 La Sportiva products, including footwear and apparel for climbing, hiking, mountaineering and mountain running, will be on display throughout the 2015 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market at the La Sportiva booth #16027. To make a media appointment, please contact Cory Lowe at cory.lowe@backbonemedia.net.

With over 80 years of heritage, La Sportiva has unrivaled experience in building the world’s finest performance mountain footwear. Creating innovation through passion, La Sportiva now offers the most versatile technical climbing, mountaineering, Mountain Running® and hiking shoes on the market as well as ski mountaineering hardware and apparel. For more information on La Sportiva visit www.sportiva.com or visit their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/LaSportiva.